REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION ABSTRACT OF APPLICATION - THOMAS BASTIN III

Contributed by: Glenda Bastin


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Summary of Thomas Bastin,III Pension File


Thomas Bastin, III enrolled with Co. B, 21st Ky. Volunteer Infantry on 1
November 1861 in Campbellsville, Ky. He enrolled as Company Musician and
served in that capacity until 31 December 1861. From 31 December 1861
until his discharge in March 1865, he was listed as a Private.

He was able to sign his name and did so on at least 2 of the military forms
in his pension file. The handwriting appears shaky but is quite legible.
The name is spelled THOMAS BASTIN in his own handwriting. His wife,
Luanna, on the other hand signed her name on the same documents with an "X".

In an 1891 Pension Application after Thomas had died, Luanna stated that
she had known Thomas for at least 65 years. Thus, they would have known
each other as children, several years prior to their marriage. Luanna
seems to have been uncertain as to their exact marriage date. In one
document she states they were married about October 1841. In another
document she states they were married about 1840. Three witnesses to the
marriage ceremony were later called upon to be character witnesses for
Luanna to receive a Widow's Pension. These witnesses were as follows:
Polly B. Wade of Hart County; Mary B. Wade of Hart County (Probably the
same person as Polly); Sarah Jewell of Metcalfe County; and William H.
Nunn of Hart County. According to these witnesses, Thomas and Luanna were
married in September or October of 1840 or 1841. The marriage ceremony was
conducted by Rev. Abraham Woodward at the home of David Shofner (Luanna's
father) in Barren County, Ky. This was the one and only marriage for both
Thomas and Luanna.

Thomas and Luanna lived in both Metcalfe and Hart Counties of Ky. Their
address in Metcalfe County was near the town of Centre/Center. In Hart
County they lived in the communities of Monroe and Three Springs. All 3
addresses are listed at one time or another in the pension file.

The pension files state the occasions that Thomas Bastin was listed on
Medical Records (I have not ordered his Complete Medical File from the
National Archives yet.) He is listed as follows:



1. Thomas BASTIAN - 29 April 1862 - diagnosis
(?deferus/seberus/iexerus??? the handwriting is not clear)

2. Thomas BACHTIN - May 1 to May 14, 1862 - Same diagnosis

3. Thomas BASTIN - 8 September to 5 October 1864 - No diagnosis

4. Thomas BASTIN - 6 October to 21 October 1864 - fracture of left
humerus and 1/3 amputated humerus

Thomas was injured on 2 September 1864 at Lovejoy's Station in the Battle
of Atlanta. The source of the injury is contradictory. Several documents
say it was a gunshot wound to the left elbow. Whereas, several other
documents say it was a fragment of a cannon shell. All the documents agree
that it was during the battle and was from the enemies battery. Regardless
of the weapon that caused the injury, the result was a fractured
(?shattered) left humerus resulting in amputation of the left arm, above
the elbow. The arm was amputated on 3 September 1864, one day after the
injury.

After being wounded at LoveJoy's Station, Thomas was treated in several
hospitals. Immediately after being injured, he received treatment at the
battlefield. From there he was transferred to hospitals in Atlanta,
Georgia; Chattanooga, TN; Cookville, TN. Then, on 21 October 1864, he was
given a 30-day furlough to return home. After the furlough, he reported to
the Medical Director in Louisville, Ky. From there, he was transferred to
Clay Hospital (??Location) and finally to a hospital in Madison, Indiana.
It was from Madison, IN that he was honorably discharged from the service
in March 1865.

Upon discharge from the service, Thomas received an Invalid Pension until
his death on 22 May 1889. He died at his home in Hart County, KY. The
amount of pension he received is as follows:

$ 8.00 Beginning 20 March 1865

$15.00 Beginning 06 June 1866

$18.00 Beginning 04 June 1872

$24.00 Beginning 10 June 1874

$30.00 Beginning 03 March 1883

$36.00 Beginning 15 Sept 1886

Upon the death of her husband, Luanna was given a Widow's Pension of $8.00.
Several neighbors assisted Luanna by giving affidavits to help her obtain
this pension. The neighbors who gave sworn statements on her behalf are as
follows: Polly B. (or Mary B.) Wade; Sarah Jewell; U.G. Scott; S.R.
Dobson; William H. Nunn; W.M. Kidd; Henry Fancher.

It is interesting to note in one of her sworn statements Luanna stated that
"her Christian name is LUANNA and is not Luann".